Combined table and couch.



4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNQMJDI JULY 14, 190s.'

, N.B.sT0NE. 1 COMBINED TABLE AND GOUGH. 'APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 12.1906.

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V COMBINED TABLE AND (l0-UGH.

PATENTBD JULY 14, 1908.

' 2. o MLIMTIQN FILED JAN 1 19 s 4 SHBETS SHEET 3.

PATENTED JULY 14, 1908.

N. B. STONE.'-

4 SHEBTS-SHEET 4.

NATHNIEL B. STONE, OF OUTLOOK, WASHINGTON.

COMBINED TABLE AND COUCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Application filed January 12,' 1905. Serial No. 240,746.

T all 'whom it may concerm' Be it known that l, NATHANIEL B. STONE, a`citizen of the United States, residing at Outlook, in the county ofYakima and State of Washington, have` invented a new and useful CombinedTable and Couch, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates particularly to improvements in articlesof furniture of that type which may be employed either 'as operatingtables or couches, though undoubtedly useful for other purposes vof anVanalogous nature.

couch or sofa, and which will constitute an.

immovable support when said article is converted into an operatingtable.

There are two embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accomanying drawings', and described in the fo lowing specification.

ln the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of thepreferred form ofstructure,

showing the same as a table. Fig. 2 is a perspective view when thearticle of furniture is converted into a couch or sofa. Fig. 3 is a topplan .view of the structurewith the upholstered to or seat removed. Fig.4 is a longitudina sectional view through the structure when arranged asa table. Fig. 5 is a similar view when arranged as a couch. Fig. is across sectional view taken on the line w of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detailsec-- tional view on an enlarged scaletaken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through the actuating crank. Fig. 9 isa top plan view of a slightly modified form of structure, the top orseat being removed. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional viewtherethrough.

' Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-8, inclusive, abase member land a top member are employed, respectively designated as awhole by the reference numerals 11 and 12 The base member 11 consists,preferably, of a metallic frame, comprising longitudinal side bars 13,joined by spider bracing 14 and transverse brace rods 15, said side bars13 carrying at their ends, legs or feet 16. These legs, as shown in Fig.5, are rigidly attached to the side bars 13 by means of dependingterminal portions 17, secured to the inner sides thereof and areprovided with inwardly extending end portions la. The top member 12preferably consists of a frame comprising side and end rails 18,constituting, 'in eect, a boxing the cover of which is formed by an uholstered cushion topv or seat 19, detachably fitted within said rails.

The top member is adapted to be elevated above and lowered upon the basemember, and for this purpose the following mechanism is preferablyprovided. Standards are employed at the different corners of thestructure, each standard comprising a lower section 20, and an uppersection 21, the sections being hinged together, as shown at 22. Thelower section is pivoted at its lower end to the inner side andcontiguous to the lower end of one of the legs or feet 16, the pivot,shown at 23, preferably passing through the downturned brace terminal 17of the side bar 13. The lower sections 20 at each end of the structureare preferably connected by tie rods 24 and said sections swing toupright position against the inwardly extending portion 16a of the legs,said portions therebyconstituting abutments. he upper sections 21 areconsiderablyV shorter than the lower sections and constitute, in effect,arms rigidly secured to shafts 25, journaled in the ends of the topmember 12 and transversely thereof. lt will therefore be clear that,when the shafts 25 are rotated in onel direction, the sections of thestandards will be brought into alinement and the top member elevated, asshown in Fig. 1, and, on the other hand, when said shafts are revolvedin an opposite direction, the sections will fold together and because ofthe shorter sections or arms 21, when so folded, said sections willassume an upright relation, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. ln thislatter position the top member is seated upon the base member and acouch or sofa is formed, as shown in Fig. 2. When elevated, thestructure is converted into a table, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of revolving the shafts i by means of these connections,the shafts must, of necessity, revolve together and in oppositedirections, and, in order to prevent lost motion, the cables areprovided with turn buckles 28, whereby the proper tautness may at alltimes be maintained. One of the shafts, Jfurthermore, is provided with agear wheel 29, and meshing therewith is a pinion 30, carried by a stubshaft 31, that projects through one of the side rails 18 of the topmember and has feathered thereon an actuating crank 32, said crank beingslidable upon said shaft. The free end of the actuating crank isprovided with a handle 33, slidable transversely of said crank for thepurpose hereinafter set forth.

From the above it will be seen that, when the handle crank is revolved,the shafts will be rotated, and thus the sections of the standards swungto effect the raising and lowering of the top member, the actuatingmeans being all carried by the top member. For the purpose of securingthe vertical movement only of the top member and preventing the swayingof said top member longitudinally during its raising and loweringmovement, compensating braces are employed, comprising yokes 34, theterminals of which arepivoted upon the cross braces 15 of the basemember, these yokes having connected to their intermediate portionslinks 35, which links are, in turn, journaled on crank pins 36, carriedby the pulleys 26, said pulleys therefore constituting crank elements.rThe connections between the links 35 and yokes 34 are adjustable, asshown at 37, in order that proper tension may be placed upon the braces.Assuming the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4, it will be seen thatcrossed braces are thus provided between the base and top members whichrigidly hold the "same, and, as the shafts rotate during the lowering ofthe table, the crank pins 36 will be turned, so that the proper strainwill at all times be maintained upon these braces, and the top memberwill thus be held against swaying and can have only a vertical orupright path of movement.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that an easily movablecouch or sofa is advantageous, b ut that an o erating table must have afirm immovabe foundation. Therefore, one of the important features of asan operating table, the

the invention relates to means for effecting these changes when thearticle of furniture is converted into either. In the present embodimentupright plungers 38 are employed, which are slidable in the feet or legs16 of the base member. The lower ends of these plungers carry rollers orcasters 39, adapted to be seated in recesses 40 in the lower ends oil.'Ysaid feet or legs so that the latter may rest lirmly upon the floor.When in such relation, the upper ends of the plungers 38 project abovethe base member and are adapted to be borne against by blocks 41,carried b y the side rails 18 of the top member'. Now it will beapparent that, when the top member is elevated from the base member andthe article of furniture is converted into a table, the plungers 38 willslide freely through the feet or legs 16, the casters will seatthemselves in the recesses 40, and consequently, said feet or legs willrest firmly upon the floor or surface su pporting the device. When,however, the top member is lowered, it will rest upon said plungers, andthe doubling of the standards will draw the base member upwardly, sothat the casters will rest upon the floor and. the sofa can be readilymoved.

Under ordinary conditions the structure will, of course, be in the formof a sofa, and, as shown in Fig. 2, the crank arm 32 is moved inwardlyand the handle 33 is moved in a similar direction, an opening beingprovided in the adjacent side rail to receive said handle. This is theonly element of the mechanism that is exposed, and it will be apparentthat the same may be placed toward the wall so that it will not be seen.When it is desired to employ the structure patient is placed upon thesofa, and the crank and handle drawn outwardly and revolved. The resultis that the sections of the standards are swung into alinement, andconsequently the top member is elevated. The parts are so arranged thatthe crank will assume a position which will permit the handle 33 beingpassed behind the adjacent standard, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and thusthe mechanism is positively locked against movement. 'Ihe employment ofshort arms or sections on the shafts is important, as a more directbearing is secured between the connections at the ends of the standards,a greater power is obtained, and, as the shorter sections revolvethrough nearly a half circle, a comparatiwly great elevation of the to imember can be secured with comparatively short standards and great ower.

A slight y different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs.9 and 10. ln

view'of the fact that the base and top members, together with thestandards, shafts and braces are exactly the same as those alreadydescribed, the same reference i'nlmerals have been employed inconnection therewith, as

ber and abutte it is thought to-be unnecessary to practically duplicatethe description already given. The difference resides in the means foractuating and effecting the simultaneous movement of the shafts 25. Inthis instance, the compensating brace links 35 are connected to crankelements 42, in the form of wheels ri idly attached to the shafts 25.These whee s are in the nature of worm gears, being provided with wormteeth 43. shaft 44 extends longitudinally through the top member and isprovided with opposite worms 45, respectively intermeshing with thewheels 42. One end of the shaft 44 projects through the adjacent endrail of the top member and has a crank arm 46, provided with a handle47. It will be seen that, when this crank arm is rotated in onedirection or the other, the wheels 42 will be turned in oppositedirections, thereby effecting the same raising or lowering movement ofthe top member as has been already described.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein described invention will be a parent tothose skilled in the art, without 'urther description'.

Having'thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. In a convertible couch and table structure, the combination with abase member, of a top member movably associated there'- with, a standardcomprising hingedly connected sections pivoted respectively to themembers and movable to substantially alined upright positions to elevatethe top member, a stop Cportion carried by one memagainst by one side ofthe standard when the sections are alined, and

means for swinging the sections into and out of alinement.

2. In a convertible couch and table strucl ture, the-combination with abase member having legs provided with inwardly extending stops orabutment portions, of a top member movably associated with the basemember, standards connecting the base and top member and comprisinghingedly connected sections, the lower of said sections bein pivoted attheir lower ends to the inner si es of the legs and swinging against theinwardly extending abutment portions thereof, the u per sections beingpivoted to the to mem er, and means carried by and movab e upon the topmember for swinging the sections.

3. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, `of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including rotatable shafts journaled on onemember, and standards consisting of hing- An actuating brace Ashafts andto the other member, a crank ele-` ment carried by one of the shafts,and a brace link connected to said other member and to the crankelement.

4. In an article of the class described, the

combination with base and top members, of

means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member,said means including rotatable shafts journaled on one member, one ofsaid shafts having a crank element, a yoke having its ends connected tothe opposite side portions of the other member, and a .link connectingsaid yoke and the crank element.

5. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember, of a top member, a shaft journaled on one of the members, spacedstandards comprisinghingedly connected sections, each of said standardshaving one of its sections hinged to the shaft, and the other hinged tothe other member, shaft and swinging the standards, and a ivoted to thecrank element and to said ot er member.

6. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means for elevating and lowering the latter, said meansincluding swinging connections between the members, separate shaftsmounted on one of the members for swinging said connections, separatecrossed connections between the shafts for effecting their simultaneousmovements, and means for operating the shafts.

7. In an article of the class described, the

combination with base and top members, of

means for elevating and lowering the latter, said means includingswinging connections between the members, separate shafts mounted on oneof the members and attached to said connections for swinging the same,separate crossed connections between the shafts for effecting theirsimultaneous movements, and actuating means connected to one of theshafts.

8. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means vfor elevating and lowering the latter, said meansincluding swinging connections between the members, separate shaftsmounted on one of the members for swinging said a crank element mountedon the.

connections, crossed cables connecting the shafts and extending aroundopposite sides thereof, Jfor simultaneously rotating them in oppositedirections, and actuating means separate from the cables and connectedto one of the shafts.

9. In an article of the class described, the combination with base 'andtop members, of means -for elevating and lowering the latter, said means,including shaf-ts journaled on one Yof the members, oppositely swingingconnecedly connectedr sections connected to the l tions between theshafts and the other member, pulleys carried by the shafts, crossedcales connecting the pulleys, and an actuating device geared to one ofthe shafts.

10. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means for elevating and lowering the latter, said meansincluding spaced shafts journaled on the top member, oppositely swingingjointed sections connected to the shafts and to the base member, pulleyssecured to the shafts, crossed cables connecting the ulleys, a gearwheel secured to one of the shalfgts, and an actuating crank having agear connection with said gear wheel.

11. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, crossed braces connected to one member, and connectionsbetween the raising and lowering means and the braces for maintainingthe latter taut when the top member is in different positions.

12. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including actuating mechanism located at theends of one member, crossed braces connected to the ends of the othermember, and connections between the actuating mechanism and the bracesfor maintaining the latter taut when the top member is in differentpositions.

13. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including rotatable actuating devices locatedat the ends ofone member, and braces, each connected at one end to oneend portion of the other member and having a crank connection with theactuating device located at he opposite end of the first mentioned mem-14. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including rotatable shafts journaled on onemember and having crank elements, and brace links connected to the othermember and to the crank elements.

15. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including rotatable shafts ournaled on onemember and having crank elements, yokes having their ends connected tothe opposite side portions of the other member contiguous to its ends,and links secured to said yokes and to the crank elements.

16. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of

means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member,said means including a shaft ournaled on one member and having a wheel,and a brace connected to the other member and having a crank connectionwith the wheel.

17. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means connecting the members for raising and loweringthe top member, said means including a shaft ljournaled on one member,arms rigidly secured to the shaft, swinging connections between the saidarms and the other member, a crank element carried by the shaft, and abrace pivoted to said other member and connected to the crank element.

1S. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember, of a top member, shafts journaled on the top member, standards,each comprising sections hinged together, certain of said sections beingpivoted to the base member, the others being rigidly affixed to theshafts, connections between the shafts including crank elements, andcrossed braces pivoted to the base member and having connections withthe crank elements.

1Q. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means for elevating and lowering the top memberincluding folding stamlards connecting the members and comprisingswinging hingedlyT connected sections, and means for moving thestandards including an aetnating device that interlocks with one of theswinging sections of said standards .for holding the said moving meansand top member against movement.

20. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means movable with respect to both members for elevatingand lowering the top meim ber, said means including an actuating crankarm, and a handle slidably mounted on the arm and constituting with saidarm a lock that engages the said movable elevating and lowering meansfor holding said means against movement.

21. In anl article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means for elevating the top member, said meansincluding" a shaft journaled on one member, standards comprisinghingedly eonnected sections, certain of the sections being connected tothe shaft, the other sections being pivoted to the other member, meansfor rotating the shaft, and abrace havinga crank connection with theshaft and a pivotal connection with the said other member.

22. In an article of the class described, the combination with base andtop members, of means for elevating the top member, said means includinga shaft journaled on one end of one member, standards comprisinghingedly connected sections,- certain of the ssaosi sections beingconnected to the shaft,the other sections being pivoted Ato thecorresponding end of the other member, means for rotating the shaft, anda brace having acrank connection with the shaft between the standardsand a pivotal connection with the other end of said other member.

23. In an article of the class described, the combination withrelatively movable base and'top members, of casters carried by the basemember and movable thereon into projecting relation with respect to saidmemer, and means operated by the other member for effecting theprojection of said casters.

24. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember, of a top member movable to aposition u on the same, casterscarried by the base mem er and movable thereon into projecting relationwith respect to said member, and means associated with the casters,operated by the top member, and movable upon'the base memberforeffecting the projection of said casters.

25. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember, of a top member movable to a osition upon the same, casterscarried by the ase member and movable to positions below the bottom ofsaid member, and plungers movable on the' base member and carrying thecasters, said top member being arranged to operate upon the plungers andthereby effect the projection of the casters.

26. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember having legs, of plungers slidably mounted in the legs andprojecting above the base member, casters carried bythe lower ends ofthe plungers and movable to positions above the lower ends of the legs,and a top member movable to a position upon the basemember, said topmember being arranged to engage the upper ends of the plungers andeffecting the relative movement of the base member and plungers toproject the casters.`

27. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with relativelymovable members, of casters carried by one member and movable thereoninto projecting relation with respect to said member, means operated bythe other member upon the relative movement of said members toward eachother for eHecting the projectionof1 said casters, and means connectingthe members for relatively moving the members towards each other andthereby effecting the projection of the casters.

28. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with a basemember, of a top member movable to a position upon the base member,casters carried by the base member and movable thereon into projectingrelation with respect to said member, means associated with the castersand operated by the top member when placed upon the base member foreffecting the projection of such casters, and means for elevating thetop member above and lowering it upon the base member, said means alsoeffecting the relative movement ofthe members to effect the projectionof the casters.

29. In an article of the class described, the combination with a basemember having legs, of upright plungers slidably mounted in the legs andprojecting above the base member, casters carried by the lower ends of'the plungers, a top member arranged to rest upon the base member andengage the upper ends of the plungers, and means connecting the membersfor elevating the top member, said means also effecting the movement ofsaid members towards each other to effect the projection of the casters.l

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaffixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL B. STONE.

